Electric regulator.



T. S. WATSON.

ELECTRIC REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILPD APRA. |915.

- Patented May 8,1917.

, f UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

= able range.

THOMAS S. WATSON, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 CAR LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT CO., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WIS- CONSIN.

ELECTRIC REGULATOR.

Patented May 8, 1917.

Application led April 9, 1915. Serial No. 20,133.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS S. WATSON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Regulators, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specication. y

The invention relates to electric regulators. 1

--The object of theinvention is a regulator for maintaining lapproximately constant the voltageon a regulated circuit operatingvat a voltage lower than that of the circuit from which it is supplied.

A specific application of the 'invention would beto maintain approximately constant the voltage on the lamps in astation or buildingv supplied from an electric railroad or other1 electric circuit on which the voltage may fluctuate through a consider- It is common practice to operate the vlamps of such an installation at a voltageapproximately equal to the lowest voltage of the supply circuit in order that a fair degree of illumination may be obtained at all times, and to absorb the difference between this voltage and that of the supply circuit in a resistance. A change in the number of lamps in the work circuit changes the cufrrent flowing, and therefore connection with a the absorption df excess voltage in the regulating resistance, which in turn causes variation in voltage at the lamp terminals. A variation-in voltage at the lamp terminals will similarly be caused by variation in the supply voltage.

It is the object of the invention to provide an automatic means for so varying the value of this regulating Vresistance as to maintain approximately constant the impressed voltage on the regulated circuit regardless Iof the variation in the current required in the work circiiit or the variation in voltage of the supply circuit.

The drawings show a diagrammatic illustration of the device embodying the invention wherein the regulator is operating in lighting circuit, but its to provide i use is not to be restricted to this kind of circuit, as it may be employed in connection with other forms of work circuit.

The regulator consists of a plurality of electro-magnetic switches, A, B, C, D, E, F, Gr, H and I, each comprising a core S, fixed contact J and 'movable contact 22 and each of said electro-magnetic switches being normally held closed by springs K, and adapted to be opened by energizing the windings' thereof. magnetic switches, except the last one, I, has two independent windings, S and S2. The windings S are connected in series, the complete circuit being in shunt to the terminals of the work circuit through conductors 15 and 16 the latter of which is connected at 17 to the line, and therefore they and consequently the regulator are subject to the same variation in voltage as the work circuit'. The windings S2 of each switch form a portion of a local circuit from the .fixed contact J of the succeeding switch through a conductor 20, winding S2, conductor 21,the resistance of the succeeding switch and thence through a conductor'23 to the movable contact 22 of the succeeding switch. Each of the windings S2 forms a holding means for retaining its switch in open position.

A series of resistancesjR to R2 inclusive,

comprise the'regulating resistance for the absorption of the excess voltage of the supply line above that required in the work 'circuit: The first electro-magnetic switch A has .no auxiliary winding S2 in the circuit of its resistance R', but a conductor 18 leads from the lin'e 12 to the fixed contact J of the vswitch A. The last switch I has no Each of these .electro-' auxiliary winding lS2 on its magnetic circuit and a'conductor 13 connects the contact 22 of said switch and the yresistance It to the conductors 15 and 13.

The movable switch contacts `22 of the y M switches A to I are connected to the succeedl ing fixed contact by the conductors 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 respectively.

The operation of the device is as follows i Assuming no potential on the supply circuit, there would be no current fiowing'in any of the windings of the electro-magnetic switches, but a circuit would eXist from conductor 12 through conductor 18, contacts J and 22 of switch A through conductor 24-to contacts J vand 22 of switch B through conductor 25, etc., through the other switches, to the contact 22 of switch I through con ductor 13, to the work circuit consisting of conductor 13, lamps L and conductor 14, to supply conductor 10.

he windings S which will be called regulating windings are part of a shunt circuit starting from conductor 14 at one terminal of the workv circuit, through conductor 17 windings S to conductor 15,' to conductor 13 which is the other terminal of the work circuit.

If a voltage is now applied to the supply conductors, a current will low through the switch members and the work circuit and a current will flow through thc regulating circuit. If the voltage israised above normal for the work circuit, the regulating windings S will be energized suiiiciently to lift the plungers S of the electro-magnetic switches, and as all are set at approximately the same lifting point, all-otthe switches will tend to open. This will interrupt the direct circuit from the supply circuit to the work circuit, and will insert the regulating resistance in series with the work circuit as follows 2- From line conductor 12 through resistance R through conductors 23, 24, 20, windingsl S2 and conductor 21 all of switch A through resistance R2 and conductors 23, 25, 20, windings S2 and conductor 21 all of switch B, and through resistances R3 to R inclusive and conductors as above to the work circuit 13, through t-he work circuit to the other supply line 10. The el'ect of this' action is to lnsert all the regulating resistances in series with the work circuit, thereby protecting thel work circuit from any excess voltage which might he injurious to it.

The winding S2 of each electro-magnetic switch is cumulative in its action with winding S therefore tending to destroy the sensitive action of the switch and to lock it in the open position on current values which would normally be overcome by spring K y which tends to close the switch, and short out of circuit the regulating resistance. The' eifect of the windings S2 when in circuit are therefore to destroy the sensitiveness of response of the electro-magnetic switches to changes in voltage across thel work circuit.

If the insertion of the resistances R to R9 lowers the voltage at the terminals of the work circuit below normal, the switch I which is energized by only the regulating winding S will close under the action of spring K, shorting out its corresponding resistance R9 and locking coil S2 of switch H thereby reducing the resistance in series with the work circuit and tending to raise the voltage at the terminals thereof. The short circuiting'of winding .S2 of switch H renders switch H again responsive to the winding S only, and if the voltage of the work circuit is still below normal, switch H will close, Vshorting out its resistance R8, and the winding S2 of switch G. This action will be continued in direct sequence until the removal of resistance has increased the voltage of the work circuit to a point above the minimum at which the switches close.

Further change in voltage across the work circuit may be caused by turning on additional lamps in the work circuit thereby increasing the current required in the work circuit which in turn will increase the voltage drop across the resistance remaining in circuit, thus lowering the voltage at the work circuit. The effect of this change will be to continue in proper sequence the closure of the electro-magnetic switches, any one of which in turn unlocks the next switch and renders it sensitive so that it will in turn respond to the voltage of the regulating circuit.

The reverse conditions, namely, turning oil lamps in the' work circuit will decrease the current required, thereby decreasing the voltage absorbed in the series resistance and increasing the voltage at the terminals of the work circuit, will cause the various closed electro-magnetic switches to lift, inserting resistance. The tendency will always be for all the switches to lift simultaneously thereby' protecting the work circuit against sudden excess voltage at its terminals and to drop back in sequence cutting out the resistance until the proper balance is restored. Manifestly the same conditions may be obtained with a constant condition of the work circuit, and a varying voltage of the supply circuit, or by simultaneous change in conditions of the work circuit and voltage of the supply circuit.

What I claim as my invention is z- 1. In an electrical system, the combination, with a supply circuit, of a work circuit of variable resistance, a plurality of resistances in Series with the work circuit, a regulator circuit sensitive to changes in voltage in both the sup ly and work circuits, and means controlled by said regulator circuit to simultaneously cut into circuit and to successively cut out of circuit tion, with a supply circuit, of a work circuit of variable resistance, a circuit including a plurality of resistances in series with said work circuit, a regulator circuit in shunt to the work circuit, and means4 lcontrolled by said regulator circuitV to simultaneously cut into circuit and to successively cut out of circuit the saidresistances to maintain approximately constant the Voltage of the work circuit regardless of variation in voltage in the supply circuit and in the resistance of the work circuit.

3. In an electrical systembthe combination, with a supply circuit, of a work circuit, a circuit including a plurality of resistances in series with saidwork circuit, a regulator circuit in shunt to the work circuit and in series with said resistances, and means controlled by said regulator circuit so as to .simultaneously cut into and to successively cut out of circuit the said resistances to maintain approximately constant the voltage of the work circuit.

4. In an electrical system, the combination, with a supply circuit, of a work circuit ofv variable resistance, a plurality of resistances in series with said Work circuit, automatic means comprising a plurality of electro-magnetic switches set to operate at the same voltage, each adapted to include or exclude from circuit a section of resistance, a regulator circuit including the windings ofthe electro-magnetic switches, said electro-magnetic switches being, through their windings in the regulating circuit, responsive to the voltage of the work circuit so as to simultaneously cut into circuit and to successively cut out of circuit the said' `resistances to maintain approximately constant the voltage of the work circuit.

5. In an electrical system, the combination, with a supply circuit, of a work circuit, a plurality of resistances in series with said work circuit, automatic means comprising a plurality of electro-magnetic switches set to operate at the same voltage, each adapted to include or exclude from circuit a section of resistance, a regulator circuit including the windings of the electro-magnetic switches in shunt to the work circuit and in series with said resistances, said electro-magnetic switches being through their windings in the regulating circuit responsive to the voltage of the work circuit so as to cut in'and out of circuit the said resistances to maintain approximately constant the voltage of thek work circuit.

6. In an electrical system, the combination, with a supply circuit, of a work circuit,

a plurality of reslstances 1n series with said work circuit, .automatic means comprising a plurality of electro-magnetic Switches 4set to operate atthe same voltage, each adapted to include or exclude from circuit a` section of resistance, a regulator circuit including the windings of the electro-magnetic switches in shunt to the work circuit and in series with said resistances, said electro-magnetic switches being through their windings in the regulating circuit responsive to the voltage of the work circuit so as to simultaneously cut into circuit and to successively cut out of circuit the said resistances to maintain approximately constant the voltage of the work circuit.

7. In an electrical system, the combination, with a supply circuit, of a Work circuit, a plurality of resistance sections in series with said work circuit, a regulator circuit, automatic means in said regulator circuit comprising a plurality of electro-magnetic switches, and holding coils for said switches, each of said switches adapted to include or exclude from circuit a section of resistance and a holding coil for a succeeding switch to simultaneously cut into circuit or to successively cut out of circuit the said resistance sections to maintain approximately constant the voltage of the work circuit.

8. In an electrical system, the combination, with a supply circuit, of a work circuit, a plurality of resistance sections in series with said work circuit, automatic mea-ns comprising a plurality of electro-magnetic switches, and holding coils for said switches, each of said switches adapted to include or exclude from'circuit a section of resistance and a holding coil for a succeeding switch,

a regulator circuit including the windings of the electro-magnetic switches in shunt to the work circuit and in series with said resistance sections, said electro-magnetic switches being through their winding inthe regulating circuit responsive tothe voltage of the work circuit so as to simultaneously cut into circuit or to successively cut out of circuit the said resistances to maintain approximately constant the voltage of the work circuit regardless of variations of current in the work circuit.

9. In an electrical system, the combination, with a supply circuit, of awork circuit, a plurality of resistance sections in series with said Work circuit, a regulator circuit, automatic means in said regulator circuit comprising a plurality of electro-magnetic switches, and holding coils for said switches, each of said switches adapted to include or exclude from circuit a section of resistance and a holding coil for a succeeding switch to cut into or out of circuit the said resistance sections to maintain approximately constant the Voltage of the Work .circuit and to render the succeeding switch more or less sensitive to currentvariations.

10. In an electrical system, the combination, with a supply circuit, of a work circuit, a plurality of electro-magnetic switches,

a regulator circuit for operating said switches, a holding coil for each switch, a

pluralityof resistance sections in series with said regulator circuit, a section of resistance 5 being controlled by each switch, said holdlng coils being in SectionsV and each -coil the succeeding sw series with said resistance itch, each of, said switches being controlled by being adapted to include or exclude its respective resistance to maintain approxi-- whereof, I aix my signa- THOMAS S. WATSON. 

